FAQ

Green'er is an innovation fund managed by the King Baudouin Foundation. We finance and support projects that give rubber a high-quality second life.

For researchers, startups, scale-ups, companies, and organizations working on circular rubber solutions.

Between €50,000 and €250,000. Higher amounts are possible with the approval of the steering committee.

Yes, the focus is on rubber derived from tires (car, truck, or bicycle). Projects involving other polymers may be eligible if they have a comparable circular impact.

Yes, but your project must have an impact on the Belgian or European market. You also need a Belgian entity or a partnership with a Belgian organization.

For research: TRL 1–4  

For development: TRL 4–7  

Projects at TRL 1 or above TRL 8 are generally outside the scope.

Not necessarily. We also fund early-stage R&D, and proof-of-concept projects, as long as the circular ambition is clear.

That depends on the stage your project is in:

• Basic research (TRL 1–3): grant of €50,000 to €200,000
• Proof-of-concept (TRL 3–4): grant or a combination of grant and loan (hybrid financing)
• Prototype or pilot (TRL 4–6): convertible loan of €75,000 to €250,000
• Market launch (TRL 6-7): equity investment or loan ranging from €100,000 to €250,000

We match the financing instrument to your risk profile and cash flow capacity.

That depends on the type of funding.

• You don’t have to repay grants, but you do have reporting obligations.
• Loans are repaid over 2 to 5 years at an interest rate of 4 to 8%.
• With convertible loans, you choose between repayment or conversion into shares in a subsequent round.
• With equity participation, there is no repayment, but Green'er shares in the proceeds of a potential exit (trade sale/IPO).

No. We require at least 30% co-funding from other sources, whether public, private, or in-kind.

Once approved, the contracting process takes 2 to 4 weeks. Payment is then made according to agreed milestones or in a single lump sum.

Yes, as long as there is no double funding for the same expenses. We verify this during the due diligence process.

On average, 8 to 24 weeks, from the initial intake to the final decision.

1. Intake (1 week): screening to assess compatibility with Green'er
2. Validation (+/- 3 weeks): further development of the business case
3. Pitch (+/- 2 weeks): presentation to the selection committee
4. Decision (2 to 16 weeks): approval by the steering commitee

Yes. In Step 3, you will present your project to our selection committee, which consists of experts from industry, academia, and the financial sector.

You'll receive feedback on your score and suggestions for improvement. You can resubmit later once you've addressed the points for improvement.

Your project will be evaluated based on 8 criteria, for a total of 100 points:

1. Problem-solving (10)
2. Technical feasibility (10)
3. Market potential (15)
4. Scalability (15)
5. Circular impact (20)
6. Team (10)
7. Funding readiness (10)
8. Compliance (10)

60 out of a total of 100 points, including at least 12 out of 20 for circular impact.

The selection committee makes a recommendation. The steering committee makes the final decision.

No. You always retain full ownership and control of your intellectual property.

• In the case of grants, however, Green'er does acquire a limited right in the event of commercial success, proportional to the amount of the investment. This enables us to raise new funds to reinvest in the circular economy.
• With loans, there is no claim whatsoever on your IP.
• With equity participation, we take a stake in the company, but not in specific IP. The IP remains the property of the company.

Yes, feel free. We just ask that you credit Green'er as the sponsor.

The patent remains yours or your organization’s. However, in the case of grants, the limited right described above applies.

We begin with the contracting phase (2 to 4 weeks), followed by a kick-off meeting, a milestone schedule, and agreements on reporting (quarterly or per milestone).

Yes. You will report on finances and results on a quarterly basis, or at each milestone, depending on your project.

Yes. We’ll connect you with our network of investors, business angels, and companies for future funding rounds.

• Grants do not require repayment, unless there has been misuse.
• With loans, we work together to explore restructuring options. Failure is part of innovation; we remain constructive.

Yes. We establish contacts with companies, universities, waste management companies, and potential customers.

Yes. Every year, we organize a larger event (the Circular Rubber Platform), supplemented by smaller roundtable discussions on specific topics.

Yes. You can do so as a knowledge partner, pilot partner, co-funding partner, or event sponsor.

Read all about our approach and criteria on the Circular Impact page.

See which projects Green'er is already funding and what they're accomplishing on the Projects page.

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